St. Matthew School and Child Care MinistryParent NewsletterDecember 14, 2018

EARLY DISMISSAL DAY IN JANUARYOn Wednesday, January 16th, we will dismiss at 12:15 p.m. The teachers will be participating in professional development related to the new ILEARN test that the students will take in the spring. If school is canceled that day due to the weather, then the early dismissal day will be moved to January 23rd. Buses will pick up students at 12:15 and follow their normal routes.

PAINTING WITH SANTAYou are invited to join us for “Painting with Santa” on Saturday, December 15th. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be in the gym from 9:00-11:00 a.m., and there will be lots of special activities, crafts, and goodies for the children! Plan to join us for this very special morning! We want to thank Stephaine and Ms. Michele for planning this special event! Thanks to everyone who has volunteered to help!

AR REWARD PERMISSION SLIPOn Monday, December 17th, the K-5 students who met their 2nd quarter AR goal will be going to AMC theater to watch “The Grinch.” We want to thank PTO for making this special reward possible for us. If your child would like a snack at the theater, please include $5 with his/her permission slip.

SPELLING BEEThe annual school spelling bee will be held on Tuesday, December 18th at 9:00 a.m. You are welcome to join us. We want to congratulate all of our spellers who will be participating:Grade 1: Ana, Samuel, OliveGrade 2: Olivia, Bella, KalynGrade 3: Isaac, Ira, EllaGrade 4: Peyton, Isabel, ClydeGrade 5: Abby, Joey, Hunter

CHRISTMAS CAROLING The K-5 students will go Christmas caroling on Wednesday, December 19th from 9:30-10:30 a.m. The students may wear red and green, Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and jingle bells. A permission slip is being sent home with the students today. You are welcome to join us!

CHRISTMAS PARTIESThe class Christmas parties will be held on Wednesday, December 19th from 1:00-2:10 p.m. We want to thank our room moms and dads for all their help! At 2:15, we will gather in the gym for a special prayer. You are welcome to join us.

HELP US FILL THE STABLE FOR BABY JESUS“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40As we enter the season of Advent, we invite the school children to join the parish in donating non-food items to the Mt. Vernon Food Pantry. Donations can be brought to school during the month of December and will be placed in the basket in church.

CHILDREN’S MASS ON CHRISTMAS EVEFr. Jim and Ms. Michele are planning a special Mass for the children on Christmas Eve. Mass will be at 4:00 p.m. All K-5 students are invited to attend and participate. Rehearsals will be held on Friday, December 21st from 9:30-11:00 and, if needed, on Saturday, December 22nd from 9:30-11:00 a.m.

COAT-A-KIDSt. Matthew is collecting new and gently used coats, hats, and gloves for Coat-A-Kid through December 31st. Drop-off boxes will be placed at the front entrance of school, at the Child Care Ministry, and in church. Don’s Claytons will clean the coats if needed and distribute them to area infants, children, and teens.

THIRD GRADE NEWSCongratulations to Emily for winning the Math Problem of the Day for second quarter!Way to go Emily!!